The only way that a diagnosis of diabetes can be confirmed is by one or more blood tests that are carried out by a physician. Symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, excess thirst and hunger and frequent urination. The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends diabetes testing for adults who are overweight or obese or have other risks for diabetes such as family history, even if they do not have symptoms. Individuals over the age of 45 years are also advised to get diabetes screening every three years.
Blood Test
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with your family physician. If you have symptoms of diabetes, record them them for a few days or a few weeks before the appointment, so they can be properly described to the doctor. Classic symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive hunger, fatigue, tiredness or unexplained weight loss. However, not all individuals with diabetes will experience symptoms. Individuals with high risk factors such as obesity, excess weight and low physical activity levels should also be tested for diabetes.
Step 2
Take a finger prick test at the doctor's office to give a reading of current blood sugar levels. This, in itself, cannot diagnose diabetes: a doctor's assistant may draw blood in the office to be sent to the lab for a more detailed test called a HgA1C test to see blood sugar levels for the last two to three months.
Step 3
Take a fasting blood glucose test, if the doctor recommends one. This test requires fasting for an eight- to 12-hour period before the test and then going to the lab for a blood test. The lab may then also conduct a glucose tolerance test in which blood is taken again after a glucose drink is ingested.
Step 4
See the doctor for a follow-up appointment about a week after the initial visit for a review of the test results. If a conclusion of pre-diabetes or diabetes is indicated, the doctor may decide to prescribe medication to treat diabetes or wait in some cases for retesting. The doctor may also refer the patient to a nutritionist for counseling on the right diet for managing or preventing diabetes.
A follow-up appointment in two weeks to a month may be needed for patients that have been diagnosed with diabetes. The doctor will also check cholesterol levels and other diabetes risk factors such as nerve damage in the feet.
Tips and Warnings
- It is important to accurately describe any symptoms to the doctors and follow all blood test procedures closely. Diabetic individuals also need to monitor their heart health, weight, physical activity and overall health and will require regular check-ups with their doctor.
- Diabetic individuals also need to monitor their heart health, weight, physical activity and overall health and will require regular check-ups with their doctor. Self-care is very important in controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes.
Things You'll Need
- Appointment with your family physician
- Blood test
- Follow-up appointment
